Sea lice have infested a 250-mile stretch of Florida coast

The sea lice infestation has been particularly bad in Pensacola, Florida.

Symptoms of sea lice stings include a red, itchy rash; more serious cases can result in nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms and fever.

The DOH recommends seeking medical attention if you think you've been exposed to sea lice.

Forget Jaws: At one particular stretch of Florida beaches, you're far more likely to encounter another nefarious sea creature during a dip in the ocean than you are a great white shark.

Florida's Department of Health is warning swimmers about an increase in sea lice attacks along a 250-mile swath of beaches from the southern Atlantic up to the Panhandle, according to local outlet FOX 13. In Pensacola, lifeguards have erected purple flags to caution visitors to swim at their own risk.

A kind of tiny jellyfish, sea lice stings generally cause a red, itchy rash called dermatitis, which develops anywhere from four to 24 hours after exposure. Though the rash usually resolves within a week, more severe symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle spasms, and fever.

The DOH recommends seeking medical attention if you experience any of those side effects and to rule out other potential causes. To help minimize sea lice stings, it also advises beachgoers to:

Avoid wearing T-shirts while in the ocean. Doing so increases the surface area that could trap larvae against your skin.

For the same reason, opt for two-piece bathing suits over one-piece when possible.

Change out of your (possibly contaminated) bathing suit as soon as possible after your swim.

Wash and dry your swimsuit after use, lest you run the risk of a recurrence of symptoms.

A bigger boat won't do much to protect you against these watery foes, but you might want to stock up on a bigger tube of hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion — just in case.

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